Limpopo’s crime rate has decreased to a significant 12.8 % in the fourth quarter crime statistics between the months of January and March this year.
This was announced by the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. She announced this on Wednesday, May 28, in Polokwane, and confirmed that the province has had 179 murders.
Hadebe said she was, however, concerned about the escalating rate of vigilantism after 27 cases were reported in the past three months.
Vigilantism
“Out of the 179 murders recorded, 27 cases are vigilantism practices. As the province, we strongly condemn and discourage this lawless act at all costs.
“These incidents serve as a reminder that violence only deepens the wound and that justice must be upheld through lawfulness.
“We remain committed to stamping out such acts and fostering the culture of lawfulness,” said Hadebe. She pointed out the policing areas of Lebowakgomo, Seshego, Thohoyandou and Westernberg as the hotspots for vigilantism.
Hadebe also praised the police in their relentless dealing with gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). She said the province recorded a substantial 3.7% decrease in rape cases.
“The 3.7% decrease in rape cases, 40 counts less than this time last year, is good progress on our side. More so as we have witnessed some of the perpetrators handed over some heavy sentences.
Arrests and convictions
“Our sexual offences and family violence unit made some arrests totalling 589. Of these, 224 cases were rape cases. Eight of the rape suspects were handed life imprisonment. Others were collectively sentenced to 252 years’ imprisonment for a number of cases. These include sexual harassment, statutory rape, violation of protection orders and other related offences,” she said.
Hadebe said the overall statistics include a significant 11% decrease in attempted murder. A 16% decrease in assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and a 3.4% decrease in sexual assault. Overall 7.7% decrease in common assault, 8.2% decrease in common robbery, and 20.2% decrease in robbery aggravation.
Residential robberies
Non-residential premises have experienced a lootable decrease of 31.6%. And the residential premises crime rate has increased by 12.1%.
“The increase of robbery in residential areas is a matter of concern in our space. Hence, we have deployed all resources that we have. This is particularly in the hotspots where we pick these crimes because there is nothing disturbing people other than to be robbed in your own house,” she added.
